TITLE:
Analysis of the Trend in the Consumption of Psychoactive Substances in Senegal from 2018 to 2022
AUTHORS:
Jean Augustin Diégane Tine, Kadidiatou Diarra, Amadou Ibra Diallo, Ibrahima Seck
KEYWORDS:
Consumption, Substance, Psychoactive, Drugs, Senegal
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Epidemiology,
Vol.15 No.1,
January
6,
2025
ABSTRACT: Purpose: The aim of the study was to investigate the profile of psychoactive substance users in Senegal from 2018 to 2022. Methodology: These were retrospective descriptive studies of patient consultation and hospitalization records in the 17 psychiatric and addictology care centers in Senegal from 2018 to 2022. This was an exhaustive survey. All usable consultation and hospitalization registers were included in the study. Non-usable consultation and hospitalization registers were not included. Data were collected from January 1 to December 31 of each respective year. Data were cleaned using Excel before analysis. R software version 4.3.3 was used for analysis. Results: Between 2018 and 2022, 26,029 patients were registered in mental health facilities in Senegal. The Fann Psychiatry Department (CHNU Fann) admitted 23.2% of patients and the Thiaroye National Psychiatric Hospital registered 17.6% of drug users. For the year 2019, we found 8259 and in 2021, we had 6607 patients. The male gender was more represented with 14,750 patients, or 90.9%. The age group [25 - 34] was the majority (7013 patients or 39.5%). The majority of patients (17,425 patients, or 84.6%) were followed as outpatients. The drugs were mainly inhaled (96.7%). The most consumed substance was cannabis with 8847 patients, or 54.2%. Withdrawal was the main reason for treatment, 11,614 patients, or 85.7%. Conclusion: In the light of the results of our study, we can say that the use of psychoactive substances is a real public health and development problem in Senegal. The peaks in psychoactive substance consumption preceded the peaks in psychiatric care centers, so we need to promote information, education and communication on the harmful effects of psychoactive substance consumption among the population in general and young people in particular, in order to safeguard the country’s development.